China drafts law on exit, entry administration [ File photo ]

A draft law being discussed at an ongoing legislative session proposes that the minimum stay for foreigners holding work certificates be shortened to 90 days, and that the period of validity for a residence certificate should range from 180 days to five years.

The draft is being read for its third time at the bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee that runs from Tuesday to Saturday.

It stipulates that foreigners should obtain valid identity documents when they are working in China, and any unit or personnel should not employ foreigners without valid certificates.

For foreigners holding visas with a maximum stay of 180 days, the holders should hand in documents to governmental departments above county-level to apply for a longer stay.

The draft law also allows local governments of bordering regions to promulgate exit and entry regulations in line with agreements signed between China and neighboring countries.

The draft law was reviewed with the aim of curbing the illegal entry, stay and employment of foreigners and stipulating harsher punishments for people who enter or exit the country illegally.

According to the government, the number of people entering and exiting China has increased by 10 percent annually since 1990. In 2010, the number reached 382 million, including 52 million foreigners.

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